All the Pretty Sources - Part 1 of 2 - Eric Daman Working Hard (Or Not)

Episode Synopsis: I'm not sure if I can really improve upon Amanda's summary in her mini recap so I will just reiterate my favorite moments. Louis = scumbaggy. What a perfect way to describe Louis's latest antics. Are we sure he wasn't born on the Upper East Side? We also learn that Nate's grandfather has big plans for his grandson and Diana is just a pawn in his game. I really feel bad for Nate because he is thinking he is succeeding all on his own. Poor guy. And then we have Max. He is my new fave. Decently cute, out-of-towner, potential in the wardrobe department, and quickly picking up the art of scheming. 

This episode (and to be honest, most of the season) has been pretty lackluster in the costuming department. Let's start with some of the highlights, shall we?

Charlie, Chivy, Ivy...whatever we are calling her these days has the quintessential city girl look on. Sequined sweater and skinny jeans tucked into a pair of fab leather boots. This is what I imagine a real-life New Yorker would wear on a typical day. Or at least a real-life Chicagoan; because I know I've worn similar outfits while out and about in the Windy City. 

Chivy's evening-wear wardrobe is quickly becoming the most consistently flattering and cute wardrobe out of all the girls. I do think the color is a little pale for her but the fit is impeccable, and the tie-dye (dip-dye? Not sure which this is considered) on the skirt of the dress adds the perfect dose of boho-chic. 

Damnit Chivy--I really want to not like you but your cute (normal-girl wearable) clothes are changing my opinion. Oh how easily I am swayed...

How old are the minions supposed to be now? Because I'm pretty sure after your first year of college you start to embrace your individuality, but I guess when you're a Minion the dress code prevails. The middle one has the best oufit--I'm loving the pleating of her skirt. And I'm in a huge tights phase right now so I'm loving the colored tights. 

Take note: These girls are all covering their legs and most of their arms. Shortly we will see that Serena has no regard for what the temperature is outside and continues to dress as if it is 80 degrees out every day. New York still participates in the changing of the seasons, right?

The Minions failed horribly in their shower dresses. Penelope seriously looks like a cow. I hope to god she is prego in real life, otherwise that is a really unfortunate dress. And the blonde one (why can't I remember the rest of their names??) must be hiding all of Gossip Girl's secrets in her hair. It is SO big. 

Amanda called this one of Serena's best looks of the season (although she said this dress was black, turns out it's more a jewel-tone green but in any color looks amazing). I have to agree and maybe one up Amanda's statement--this is one of Serena's best looks of all time. She shows off the gams but not overly so, the girls are tucked away, there is a small amount of accessories, and the braid adds the typical hippie touch.

Love, love, love. I would totally wear this as my pre-wedding shower outfit (that's only a semi-sarcastic statement). 

Serena was doing so well in the first few scenes. What. the. hell. happened? Did something snag the front of the dress and she just ripped part of it off? Did extra fabric somehow get stuck to the sides? I think I would actually like this if not for the weird "hangy things"....

But lately all I can think of is that I want Serena's iPhone case! That probably means I need to get a new iPhone too since I don't have a white one. Damn the bad luck. 

Her rings are awesome as well. She's finally getting the accessory thing right!

Oh Blair bear. I am really disappointed in your pregnancy wardrobe. Where is the cute preggers wear? 

She isn't even that far along yet, can you imagine what she will wear when they tape a basketball to her stomach?? Will she just starting wearing muumuus?

On the bright side, I don't think it can get any worse than these two dresses. A flapper-esque dress covered up with a jacket she only could have borrowed from Cece herself. Then I think Blair got confused--she dresses as a present to her wedding shower. 

Blair, honey, a wedding shower isn't a euphemism for a costume party. 

Ugh I can't even describe how awful...nope, can't even go on. That's all I have to say about that.

Each week I keep hoping that Louis will suddenly transform his ill-fitting suits into tailored masterpieces like Chuck's especially since his behavior is becoming eerily scheme-ish. But alas, it does not happen. He still wears suits that don't quite fit right in the shoulders and on top of it, he forgets a BELT. 

Hello, Serena. Can you please throw my wedding shower? Better yet, can I be invited to the next wedding shower you throw? Look at these goody bags! 

All the Pretty Sources - Part 2 of 2 - Yeah He's Definitely Not Working Hard

Just in case you don't get the meaning of my headlines, let me explain a tad. I'm getting the feeling Eric Daman (the costume director) is sleeping on the job. This part showcases all the characters who had only one outfit selection the whole episode (minus Nate but his second set of clothes was pretty standard so I felt I could omit it). You would think that if a character wore one outfit the entire episode we would see some really interesting and visually arresting sartorial choices. Unfortunately that is not the case and the only conclusion I can come to is that Eric Daman is being lazy. 

Look at Mini B and S trying so hard to emulate their idols. They do a pretty good job except Mini S's skirt is not nearly short enough nor is her shirt cut low enough (or could be tighter, take your pick). Mini B is almost spot on to Big B except for two things: 1) her shirt needs to be slightly more tailored and 2) her fascinator needs to be way more obnoxious. C'mon a fascinator needs to fascinate...

Thank you baby Jesus this not a skin-tight, bodycon, bandage dress. Dare I say, almost professional? Did Diana know Grandpa Vanderbilt was stopping by?

...well minus the cleavage it could be professional. 

Lily looking as elegant as always. She wears that taupe-y, gray-brown so well. 

Seriously people, can Chuck do no wrong? Even when he surprises us with a striped shirt, he coordinates everything to a T. I just love that he goes and walks his dog in his immaculate suits.

If you noticed in my synopsis (you did read that, didn't you?!) I mentioned that Max has some great style potential. Then you're probably thinking "oh goody, what was his wearing?!" Then you see this: 

Initially yes, it looks blah. However these three points give him potential. 1) His shirt is not flannel nor does it appear to plaid. Even if it is plaid, it is not lumberjack paid that we see so frequently on most of the other men on this show. 2) He is wearing a cardigan over his non-plaid shirt. Rarely do we see that on anyone else. 3) The colors of his sweater and shirt don't really match. How does that indicate potential, you ask. It indicates potential because he is thinking about the outfit as a whole rather than "let me just throw on this ratty flannel shirt laying in the corner of my room" ::cough:: Dan Humphrey ::cough::

The aforementioned lumberjack plaid has appeared on Nate. Dan must have left this at Nate's house after a sleepover when they used to be best buds. 

I'm not even sure why I even included Nate, Dan or Rufus in this post because they are basically wearing a variation of the same shirt. But it does explain my point about the costume department not earning their keep anymore. I'm starting to get bored and the clothes are the only reason I come back week after week...

Mini Recap: All The Pretty Sources

Louis returns, more scumbaggy than ever. He publishes Gossip Girl's sources in attempt to convince Blair that her friends aren't really her friends, which I'm pretty sure is a classic abusive husband move. Someone really needs to sneak Blair some Lifetime movies already so she can learn what a dysfunctional relationship looks like. Serena plans an espically "Blair" shower - and, in the process, throws out some amazing misdirection (including: Evites, Greek food, and Hawaiian shaved ice). Dan and Charlie Trout go down the rabbit hole together and end up at Blair's shower, where Chuck realizes that Dan's in love with Blair. And, at long last, Grandfather's machinations are revealed when it turns out his new goal for Nate is to become the new Gossip Girl ... or something ... I don't know. But either way, Diana's out of a job and very angry. Also angry? Max, who is now blackmailing Chivy for $500,000, because apparently the Upper East Side leaves outsiders devoid of a soul.

Party du Jour
Blair's wedding shower. Gossip Girl said only two people weren't invited, but apparently all the Evites for the YKYLF staff were lost in the mail as well.

Best Line
It's a tie between:
Blair: "Should I be ladylike in de la Renta? Avant garde in Alaia? Or magnificent in McQueen? What?"
Blonde Minion: "Dress casual. I think the line from the Evite was 'Jeans OK.'"

Best Outfit
Serena's black dress and messy braid worn while prepping for the shower was one of the best Serena looks all season. If only she'd kept it on for the shower, she wouldn't have been in a tie for ...

Headshaker
Oh, Blair. I know you've been through a lot of emotional turmoil, what with the whole Evite misidirect and Louis being a total scumbag, but that dress is not ladylike, avant garde, or magnificent. It's just yet another ill-fitting horror from your Epic Fail Pregnancy Wardrobe. Fortunately, Blair's not alone in her sartorial misfire. Serena, not content with her usual unwashed bed head, has opted to tease and mat her hair for maximum rat nestedness. And the dress ... well, does the wrongness there really need to be elaborated upon?

Check back on Thursday while the turkey is cooking for Kate's post!